Prophet Ibrahim and The Hidden Cost of Blind Compliance
The story of Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ is a lesson on the dangers of compliance culture when a society is collectively on a path of falsehood. When idolatry was entrenched in society, Prophet Ibrahim faced pressure to conform but relied on sound judgement and Divine guidance to expose the truth. This article exposes how blind loyalty leads to corruption and how all Muslims have a responsibility to enjoin good even in times of widespread evil.
The Idol Worshippers
Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ was born in Babylonia (Iraq) where its people worshipped idols of stone and wood, while others worshipped the moon and the stars. In his youth, Prophet Ibrahim was a perceptive youth which Allah highlights in the Quran.
And indeed, We had granted Ibrahim sound judgment early on, for We knew him well ˹to be worthy of it˺.
Ibrahim's father was a man named Ȃzar, who was famed in the community for selling idols. He wanted his son to do the same, but early in his life Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ found idol worship strange. They were meant to be gods, but unlike their worshippers idols didn't speak, eat, drink or move. The town had a temple filled with idols. People would bow, cry, ask for help and make offerings and yet the statues did nothing.
Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ began to realise these idols were not powerful at all, and Allah guided Him to the truth.
We also showed Ibrahim the wonders of the heavens and the earth, so he would be sure in faith.
Once guided, Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ understood the responsibility to spread Monotheism to his people. He preached to his father, who not only worshipped but constructed these idols.
And ˹remember˺ when Ibrahim said to his father, Ȃzar, “Do you take idols as gods? It is clear to me that you and your people are entirely misguided."
Prophet Ibrahim gently asked why he worshipped lifeless idols, but his father became angry.
He threatened, “How dare you reject my idols, O Ibrahim! If you do not desist, I will certainly stone you ˹to death˺. So be gone from me for a long time!”
[Ibrahim] said, "Peace will be upon you. I will ask forgiveness for you of my Lord. Indeed, He is ever gracious to me.
The Festival
When the day of Eid came, the people went out for a great celebration on the other side of the river bank. Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ told his father he was sick and would stay behind. In reality he wasn't physically sick but frustrated with the culture of senseless idol worship.
He debated with the people, pleading with them to use reason. But like his father, they would become angry and wouldn't understand.
Ibrahim asked, “Can they hear you when you call upon them?
Or can they benefit or harm you?”
They replied, “No! But we found our forefathers doing the same.”
Ibrahim responded, “Have you ˹really˺ considered what you have been worshipping—you and your ancestors?
They are ˹all˺ enemies to me, except the Lord of all worlds
Breaking of the idols
When the people left, Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ had a new plan. If they would not listen to reason, he would expose the idols himself. When the city was empty, he went to the idol temple and looked at the food laid out.
Then he ˹stealthily˺ advanced towards their gods, and said ˹mockingly˺, “Will you not eat ˹your offerings˺?
What is wrong with you that you cannot speak?”
In anger, Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ took an axe and broke all the idols except the largest, hanging the axe across its neck.
The Cool Fire
When the people returned from the festival they were shocked and horrified to see the remains of their idols.
They protested, “Who dared do this to our gods? It must be an evildoer!”
Some said, “We heard a young man, called Ibrahim, speaking ˹ill˺ of them.”
They asked, “Was it you who did this to our gods, O Ibrahim?”
He replied ˹sarcastically˺, “No, this one—the biggest of them—did it! So ask them if they can talk!”
The people responded:
“You already know that those ˹idols˺ cannot talk.”
Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ challenged them on why they worshipped something powerless. The idols couldn’t feed them or quench their thirst, heal any sickness, cause anyone to die or resurrect them. They were not a protector or helper, and couldn’t benefit or harm.
Shame on you and whatever you worship instead of Allah! Do you not have any sense?”
The people had no response and became embarrassed. As they were realising the truth, Shaytan overwhelmed them with anger.
They concluded, “Burn him up to avenge your gods, if you must act.”
The people lit a fire and grabbed Ibrahim, throwing him into it. However, Allah سبحانه و تعالى supported Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ at this critical moment:
We ordered, “O fire! Be cool and safe for Ibrahim!”
They planned to harm him, but we made them suffer the greatest loss.
Why Do People Follow Social Norms?
The story of Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ teaches us the importance of critical thinking even from youth. Prophet Ibrahim had sound judgement, who utilised it to challenge corruption.
He used multiple ways to teach Monotheism: asking questions, making observations and eventually turning to a demonstration.
Most notably, Prophet Ibrahim’s people had the same rationality and intellect, yet refused to use it. By confessing the biggest idol couldn’t speak, they were conceding that the object of their intense worship was unable to help them. If this is the case, why insist on associating partners with Allah when it serves no benefit?
A clue is found in their response to Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ:
“But we found our forefathers doing the same.”
Modern psychology suggests that people obey social norms as a way to feel part of a collective group. This leads to group think when individuals suppress their own feelings to cater to the views of the majority.
What's significant is that social norms have moral legitimacy in the eyes of its followers, and they will observe these traditions even when alone. Blind loyalty is not always motivated by fear of punishment, but a desire to fit in and be praised for conformity. This leads to a culture which demonises those who deviate. Social norms are tied to people's identity, and a rejection of them is a rejection of oneself.
As a result, people will deny anything which criticises or undermines entrenched norms even if they are unjust or morally dubious. Tactics involve ‘selectively misremembering actions’, or strategic ignorance to avoid social consequences. This is a way to justify ‘selfish behaviour.’
(Gross and Vostroknutov, 2022, 2-3).
In the case of Prophet Ibrahim’s people, they were humiliated after their idols were destroyed. They refused to accept that their system of worship was flawed to avoid the consequences. Instead they re-processed their response to target the one who violated the norms to begin with.
Social psychologist Solomon Asch concluded that people who are loyal to social norms are willing to override their own personal judgment and intellect to conform. He said:
"The tendency to conformity in our society is so strong that reasonably intelligent and well-meaning young people are willing to call white black. This is a matter of concern.’
Situation Today
Today, idol worship has been replaced with a new god - self worship.
The Western liberal order positions itself in direct opposition to Islam. Secularism pushes us to worship our desires instead of God. This society does not seek to inspire generations of moral, free thinking individuals whose values are based on Monotheism. Instead, it is built on the desires of a few at the expense of the collective.
Prophet Ibrahim's father was an idol seller, which brought him wealth and status. This is why he showed little interest in changing his ways.
Similarly, modern corporations will plunge consumers into moral degradation for financial gain. The gambling industry, pornography and Hollywood are designed to create lifestyles, behaviours and mentalities built on heedlessness and lowly desires. As a result, it creates a culture that rests on moral decay, financial ruin and the destruction of relationships.
We are overwhelmed with bad influences, which moves you away from sincerely worshipping Allah. This puts us on the same path as the idol worshippers. Armed with the truth, Muslims have the responsibility to steer people away from evil vices. Believers cannot afford to be heedless just because society is.
We must warn others, including fellow Muslims about the Last Day, the responsibilities of believers and inspire them to follow our true role models such as the Prophets, Sahaba and contemporary Islamic heroes.
The best of us will be from the youth, just like Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ, who are unwilling to be blindly loyal to corrupt social norms.
Today we have technology that allows us to access information easily. PDFs, audio recordings, books and podcasts are widely available to convey, distribute and share. We have greater access to people globally, which provides unique opportunities to not just educate but inspire others to be more God-conscious.
This shows that we must exert every effort when it comes to conveying the truth. We have to teach others to remain steadfast in a world full of distractions.
Know that this worldly life is no more than play, amusement, luxury, mutual boasting, and competition in wealth and children.
The life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment.
We must use our critical thinking to expose societal injustices which have led to global wars, financial exploitation, poverty and moral decay to enjoin people on the path of good.
When society is firm on causing harm, we devote our lives to reversing its effects and helping desperate people who are impacted.
We are not loyal to injustice. Ibrahim عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ relied on sound judgement to question the logic behind idol worship, and persisted despite being exposed to danger.
His rescue from the fire by Allah the Almighty shows us that the pleasure of Allah remains our priority. Similarly, when we aid fellow believers, we will also be protected from corruption and be successful in this world and the next.
May Allah bring forth God conscious Muslims who fear the Last Day, enjoin believers in goodness and strive to challenge and correct the evils of society. Ameen.
____________________________
Jazakallah khair for reading. Please benefit the ummah by sharing this knowledge and downloading a transcript below. Feel free to use it for your own research or personal study.
Bibliography
Age of the Sage (n.d.) Solomon Asch conformity experiments: A study of conformity. Available at: https://www.age-of-the-sage.org/psychology/social/asch_conformity.html
Gross, J. and Vostroknutov, A. (2022) ‘Why do people follow social norms?’, Current Opinion in Psychology, 44, pp. 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2021.08.016
The Qur’an. Surah Al-Anbiyā’ (Chapter 21), verse 51. Translation retrieved from Quran.com (https://quran.com/21/51).
The Qur’an. Surah Al-Anʿām (Chapter 6), verse 74. (https://quran.com/6/74)
The Qur’an. Surah Al-An‘ām (Chapter 6), verse 75. (https://quran.com/6/75)
The Qur’an. Surah Maryam (Chapter 19), verses 46–47. (https://quran.com/19/46-47)
The Qur’an. Surah Ash-Shu‘arā’ (Chapter 26), verses 72–77. (https://quran.com/26/72-77)
The Qur’an. Surah Al-Anbiyā’ (Chapter 21), verses 59–63. (https://quran.com/21/59-63)
The Qur’an. Surah Al-Anbiyā’ (Chapter 21), verse 65. (https://quran.com/21/65)
The Qur’an. Surah Al-Anbiyā’ (Chapter 21), verse 67. (https://quran.com/21/67)
The Qur’an. Surah Al-Anbiyā’ (Chapter 21), verse 68. (https://quran.com/21/68)
The Qur’an. Surah Al-Anbiyā’ (Chapter 21), verses 69–70. (https://quran.com/21/69-70)
The Qur’an. Surah Al-Ḥadīd (Chapter 57), verse 20. (https://quran.com/57/20)
